Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, news about the fate and future of this Middle Eastern country has been at the forefront of our national consciousness, making an impact on our daily lives, appearing in every newspaper and news program, the subject of endless numbers of personal and political discussions. But if you think you’ve heard every imaginable story about life within Iraqi borders, think again. There is at least one major element in this geopolitical drama that the American media has mostly overlooked, and it lies at the cross section of regional politics and the natural environment. NATURE’s Braving Iraq unravels this tale about what was once one of the richest and most important wetlands in the world – from its virtual destruction by a ruthless dictator to its exciting, new prospects for a miraculous recovery.
As recently as the 1980’s, Iraq’s Mesopotamian Marshes were reminiscent of the Garden of Eden – indeed, many biblical scholars believe they are one and the same. Fed by the combined waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, this enormous marshland of over 6,000 square miles dominated southern Iraq. For more than 7,000 years, these wetlands provided a bountiful home for both wildlife and humans. A large population of indigenous people, the Ma’dan Tribes known as Marsh Arabs, had thrived there for centuries. But in the 1990’s, due to political conflict, Saddam Hussein attempted to eradicate them – not through systematic extermination, but by destroying the marshes on which they depended for survival. Massive canals were dug, diverting river water away from the wetlands and towards the Persian Gulf. Huge embankments were built to prevent water from entering the marshes. What had been a green paradise twice the size of the Everglades shrank to less than 10% of its original size. Most of it was transformed into a parched, lifeless desert. The wildlife and the people were forced to leave.
But the story did not end there. Due to the imagination and the efforts of a coalition of individuals, restoration of the marshes has become more than a dream. Civil strife, serious security incidents and droughts make for slow progress, but various groups are chipping away at the embankments, trying to successfully flood the marshes once again. Azzam Alwash, an engineer raised on the banks of the Euphrates, left Iraq for America to escape from Saddam’s regime, but he has returned to undertake one of the largest habitat recreation projects in the world. Filmmakers David Johnson and Stephen Foote follow Azzam, chronicling his efforts to breathe new life into the green paradise he remembers from his childhood, while also navigating the inherent dangers of working in a dangerous and politically volatile region.
Is there any hope that such a massive ecosystem can be brought back to life? Have the exiled rare birds of the marsh, such as the marbled teal and the Basra reed warbler, survived? And will they return to their old territory? Success is uncertain, but some Iraqis feel that the fate of the country itself is tied to the fate of the marshes – and as small signs of hope for natural recovery begin to appear, Iraq’s political future seems to brighten as well.
I would like to express my deep concern about the use of the term “Arabian Gulf” to refer to the Persian Gulf in your program. This term is historically incorrect, politically charged, and ethnically divisive. The correctness of the term “Persian Gulf” is indisputable. The Persian Gulf has been known and recognized as such for more than 2,500 years, and official legal judgments from the United Nations have codified its use internationally.
ARABIAN GOLF = NONESENSE
for god’s sake,
its PERSIAN GOLF
With respect to all non-Iranian people living around the ”Persian Gulf ” , we are all here to not to let the money which is raised by the crude oil and etc in the Persian Gulf be used against it .
We are all here to save cyruses land and people and develop them towards his goals .
thanks for a great program -
I appreciated having a more expansive view of that world – My understanding of the marsh arabs and their world – is via the writings of wilfred thessiger; and hhis book the marsh arabs – and their world as it was before the arrival of the great shaytan sadaam hussein -
I was in iraq 17 days last year – via hinterland travel – led by geoff hahn of brighouse, u.k. and did visit an encampment below nasariyah -our escort would not take us where geoff wished – due to “ali baba” – but I did note men in their wooden pirogues – casting their nets – egrets perches in the reeds seeking their prey – women baking bread – and had some – water buffalo – and heaps of their dung for cooking etc. – (buffalo chips in us)
the concern of the those who approached us was to have us intercede on their behalf to have access to clean water – they assumed we had some clout which was not the case.
In our case; our group was small – three – one police escrort – and a ministry of tourism persona – at times an armed vehicle would precede us – speckled in blue spots as a holstein cow – we saw much armament – but happily all remained peaceful except for reports of nearby bombing –
we were met cordially everywhere – asallam alaykum – shlonak etc.
ok people i think we got the point of Gulf name. can you please stick to the subject, because you guys ruin the whole concept of this whole program. instead of writing or giving feed back about this program, you guys argue about the name of the gulf. this is not a forum!
first of all, i would like to thanks the people who made this possible and who risked their life to do to the impossible regardless of situation in iraq. Big thanks to Asam for working hard to bring life to marshes, for people and animals. this was a great program, even thought im iraqi, i didnt know there were many bird species in south iraq. im so glad theres beautiful nature full of birds in south iraq. this is one step toward hope and change. Thanks PBS
This was a wonderful, inspiring episode. It is so wonderful to see how well and how quickly the marshes and the Ma’dan are healing and thriving together. And all we had to do was just add water! Gives you a lot of hope!
PERSIAN GULF!!!!!!!!!!!!
What wonderful people are involved in these noble efforts to restore this literally breathtaking area! I SO hope all their good deeds come to fruition for the local people and the lovely wildlife. Yes, something so positive in our too often upsetting negative world helps us ALL. Kudos and heartfelt thanks.
please don’t mistake. It is persian Gulf in All the time.
I’m a big turtle nut and heard that there is a species of softshell turtle ( Rafetus, I believe ) that lives in Iraq. I wonder if the marshes are part of its natural habitat ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2it5cI9lb2I
There are proper ways, and of course bad ways to perform investigations, ty for the info:)
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Just wanted to say aweseome theme and great post.I like how you wright. Ever thought about freelance writing?
This was an incredible insite to the good that is still in Iraq. I was sationed at Contingency Operating Base Basrah 2009-2010. It was a surpising place considering much of it was taken. It was all seemingly desert but if you did look close enough you could for sure tell it was once quite fertile. It makes me feel good that this land is being brought back to the way it truly should be.
Just now read it and thanks the post again.
I am watching your program now. I live in Alabama along the Gulf coast and we have marshes like this area in Iraq. I have never imagined that it could go away. To the gentleman born in Iraq and who now lives in California, you are AWESOME. I hope your family appreciates what you are doing even though you have to miss their special occasions. Good luck to you in the future. I will keep you and your mission in my prayers.
People have been saying for years now that the US Government has been back engineering crashed alien craft. I don’t get it. Just look at this latest new craft X-47B from the NAVY. Come on folks, get it together! It looks nothing like a flying saucer jeez. Where do these crazy ideas come from? Ha Ha LOL
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Awesome write-up Chrissy! Thanks for sharing your day.
Why are so many of the comments on this article completely off topic? You’d probably believe everyone has Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or something, hahah.
Sounds like it is OK to complain of every smell but that of meat.
Thanks Bob! I enjoyed the post on Pawn Stars
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Tragic Johnson, eh? Don’t they make blue pills for that?
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I hate hearing about the war and iraq. It is very sad about the lives that we lost and also the countless amount of money that was wasted on the war. You can never put a cost on someone elses life.
pacman online
There is no Arabian Gulf. “Persian Gulf” is the only official and internationally recognized name for that body of water according to the United Nations.
Saw it today on PBS’s Nature and had to look up Marbled Teal ( a bird ) and was again impressed by NATURE (the show :) )
Mike
How exciting. I will be watching.